The Boston Bruins (4-1-0) welcome the Minnesota Wild (1-3-0) at TD Garden on Saturday. Minnesota is playing their first of six games on the road coming off a 4-3 overtime win over the Canucks on Thursday, breaking a three-game losing streak.
The Wild committed four penalties in the game, though they held Vancouver without a power play goal. Mats Zuccarello led the Wild with two goals in regulation. Marc-Andre Fleury saved only 23 of 26 shots (.884%) in the win. Boston beat the Ducks 2-1 (SO) on Thursday. Taylor Hall was the only player to score in regulation for the Bruins. Linus Ullmark saved 30 of 31 shots in the win (.967%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Wild won both games between the teams last season, including a 4-2 victory in their final meeting in March. Kirill Kaprizov (2G 0A), Ryan Hartman (1G 1A), and Jared Spurgeon (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Minnesota. Brad Marchand and Craig Smith were on the scoresheet for Boston. Cam Talbot got the win, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923%).
FACING OFF
Minnesota is averaging 4.00 goals per game so far this season, fifth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Bruins team that is allowing 3.20 goals a game (17th). Meanwhile, Boston has found the net 4.40 times a game on average, third in the league, and will be looking to capitalize on the Wild’s weak defense, which is allowing opponents to score a league-worst 5.75 goals per game.
Minnesota averages more shots/game (36.8) than most teams in the league, ranking fourth. Boston’s average of 35.2 attempts ranks eighth. Expect several power play opportunities for the Bruins, as the Wild are averaging 6.00 penalties per game, most in the NHL. The visitors’ 13.50 penalty minutes a game ranks second-highest. The home team has been penalized 4.80 times a game (20th) for an average of 10.80 minutes (19th).
The Wild’s second-ranked power play offense (41.18%) will be put to the test against the Bruins, who are the league’s fifth-best penalty killing team (94.12%). Boston, meanwhile, has scored on 17.65% of their power play opportunities (19th), which the hosts will be aiming to improve on against Minnesota’s 21st-ranked 73.33% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Zuccarello and Kaprizov are the top skaters for the Wild with eight points apiece so far this season. Both have four goals and four assists in four games. In the net, Filip Gustavsson (0-2-0) is Minnesota’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 5.05 GAA and a .860% save percentage.
Fleury (1-1-0) leads the Wild in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 5.96 and a save percentage of .813%. David Pastrnak leads the Bruins in scoring with eight points (9th in the league). He has three goals and five assists (8th). Ullmark (3-0-0) has the best goals against average for Boston at 2.06. He has a save percentage of .938%.
HOME AND AWAY
Boston is unbeaten at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Minnesota Wild (-105)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NHL hub page for all your hockey needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
